Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Anniversaries: Northern Ireland

Sir Jeffrey M. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans she has to support events in Great Britain to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland in 2021.

Helen Whately: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 08 October 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.The Northern Ireland Office has lead responsibility within Government for exploring options to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland in 2021. My Department will work alongside the NIO, where appropriate, to support that work.

Nicky Morgan: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.The Northern Ireland Office has lead responsibility within Government for exploring options to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland in 2021. My Department will work alongside the NIO, where appropriate, to support that work.

Northern Ireland Office

Belfast Agreement: Brexit

Conor McGinn: To ask Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment the Government has made of the compatibility of the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement with (a) the UK leaving the EU without a deal and (b) the Irish backstop.

Mr Robin Walker: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 08 October 2019.The correct answer should have been:

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.The UK Government is unconditionally committed to the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and its successors, and to maintaining the rights of the people of Northern Ireland and North-South Cooperation in all circumstances, whatever the outcome of Brexit. The Government wants and is working to achieve a new deal with the EU. However, the Government’s position is that a no deal EU Exit would not be a breach of the provisions of the Belfast Agreement.

Julian Smith: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.The UK Government is unconditionally committed to the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and its successors, and to maintaining the rights of the people of Northern Ireland and North-South Cooperation in all circumstances, whatever the outcome of Brexit. The Government wants and is working to achieve a new deal with the EU. However, the Government’s position is that a no deal EU Exit would not be a breach of the provisions of the Belfast Agreement.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Wildlife: Crime

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to review wildlife crime penalties.

Rebecca Pow: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 04 October 2019.The correct answer should have been:

The Government takes wildlife crime seriously. Significant sanctions are available to judges to hand down to those convicted of wildlife crimes. Most wildlife crimes carry a maximum fine of £5,000 an unlimited fine and a six-month custodial sentence. We have no plans to amend these penalties.

Rebecca Pow: The Government takes wildlife crime seriously. Significant sanctions are available to judges to hand down to those convicted of wildlife crimes. Most wildlife crimes carry a maximum fine of £5,000 an unlimited fine and a six-month custodial sentence. We have no plans to amend these penalties.